SHARE:
Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Not everyone feels the Southeast's job boom
The Southeast makes headlines for its booming economy, but the region's fastest-growing states have a problem. Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee rank high in job growth, but these five states also rank among the U.S.'s lowest in labor force participation. Florida has the widest gap between job growth and labor force participation of the five states studied by U.S. News. [Source: U.S. News & World Report]
After reaching high mark, consumer confidence dips in Florida
Consumer confidence is dipping slightly. The monthly University of Florida consumer survey released Tuesday shows consumer confidence dropped after reaching one of its highest points since 2002. Full story from UF is here. Also read more at the AP.
Duke Energy slams the door on proposed Florida nuclear plant
Duke Energy Corp. has dropped the other nuclear shoe, announcing Tuesday it will no longer move forward with the proposed Levy County Nuclear Power Plant. Under a proposed settlement filed with regulators Tuesday, Duke's 1.8 million customers will not have to pay off the remaining $150 million for the Levy project. That could trim $2.50 off the average monthly bill. This means, in all likelihood, power bills for Duke customers will still go up, just a bit less than the utility forecast last week. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Charlotte Business Journal.
The Florida connection to the latest Trump-Russia twist
Felix Sater, a former business associate of President Donald Trump, is in the news this week after an email surfaced in which he envisions Trump becoming president and says, “I will get all of Putins team to buy in on this.” Some might recall Sater and Trump share a Florida connection. [Source: Times/Herald]
Florida insurance companies provide $61.2 million toward scholarships
Florida insurance companies are providing a record level of support for the Florida Insurance Industry Scholarship Program, which makes it possible for low-income families across the state to send their children to schools best suited to meet their needs. Insurance companies send support to "Step Up For Students," the nonprofit organization that helps to manage the needs-based Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Full news release is here. Also read more at WDBO.
› Stranded on cruise ship by Harvey, 2,000 passengers disembark in Miami
About 2,000 passengers disembarked from Royal Caribbean International’s Liberty of the Seas Tuesday afternoon, after it was diverted to PortMiami from its home port in Galveston. About 2,000 more passengers stayed aboard and will return to Galveston on Friday morning.
› Take it to court: Florida Senate sued over doomed website
Florida taxpayers have already spent $5 million on a state budget website that never went public. Now litigation over the failed project could cost another $200,000.
› Woman flies to Jacksonville for brain surgery after doctors in Brazil turn her away
Doctor after doctor came to the same conclusion about Larissa Bastos-Mellem’s aneurysm: They weren’t comfortable with the procedure. So, Larissa packed her luggage and flew 10 hours from Brazil to Jacksonville.
› Agrium to buy ag-retail businesses in Georgia & Florida
Canadian fertilizer maker, Agrium Inc. AGU said that its Crop Production Services (CPS) Ag-retail business has landed a binding purchase deal with Southern States Cooperative, Inc. Under the pact, Agrium will buy Southern States Cooperative's 20 Ag-retail locations in Georgia and Florida. Also see the press release, here.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it:
